Apparatus for balling scrap metal.



7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I |||||||||A|| II Patented Dec. 26, 1911.

D. H; LBNTZ.

APPARATUS FOR BALLING SCRAP METAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6, 1911.

D. 11. LENTZ. APPARATUS FOR BALLING SORAP METAL. APPLIOATIOI FILED JAN.8, 1911. 1,012,872. I V Patented 1m 26, 1911.

'1 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Mi);1155396,; q .1 eyfiaer il r W 1 Mi W im/m;

D. H. LENTZ.

APPARATUS FOR BALLING SCRAP METAL.

APPLICATION nun JARS 1911.

1,01 2,872. Patented D90. 26, 1911.

"I SKEETB-BHEBT 3.

D. H. LENTZ. APPARATUS FOR BALLING SCRAP METAL.

APPLIGATIOIf FILED JAN. 6, 1911.

Patented Dec. 26, 1911.

7 SHEETSSHEET 4.

qdz/vefi far:

' j mM D. H. LBNTZ. APPARATUS FOR BALLING SCRAP METAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.6 ,1911. 1,012,872.

5 m E 6 2% d 0 OUT Du 0 1 n e t a P JZOQ777077 I D. H. LEN TZ.

APPARATUS FOR BALLING SCRAP METAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6, 1911.

Pafiented Dec. 26, 1911;

'1 SHEETSBHEET 6.

W n a W @M W Ii i 1). H. L ENTZ.

APPARATUS FOR BALLIN G SCRAP METAL. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6,1911.

1,012,872, I Patented Dec. 26, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 74 nAvIn n. LENTZ, o1- cnrcaeo, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR FALLING SCRAP METAL..

' Specification 01' Letters Patent. Patented Dec. 26, 1911.

Application Med January 6, 1911. Serial No. 601,182.

To all whom it concern: i Be it known that I, DAVID H. Lnn'rz, a

. citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ofCook and State of'Illlnois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Balling Scrap Metal, of which the followiis a specification. 1

y 'inventionrelates to an apparatus for balling scrap metal, and theinvention has for its object to provide a new and improved form ofapparatus for welding scraps of metal into com act and relativelyhomogeneous masses or alls. While a sphere or ball is, for variousreasons, one of the most desirable forms in which to form the scrap, andwhile, in the preferred embodiment of my invention, the scrap will beformed into a spherical or substantially spherical mass, nevertheless itshould be understood that, for the most part, I use the term balling asa convenient term for describing generically the welding of a mass ofscrap into a sing e mass, regardless of the proportions or contour ofthe mass. 1

The principal object of my invention is to rovide mechanism wherebyscrap iron may be fed into the mechanism as scrap and may be so treatedby the o eration of the mecha-' nism as to unite it '111t0 a relativelysolid mass of iron.

A further object of the invention is to provide such mechanism wherebyscrap iron may be united into a mass of any desired weight and ofsuitable shape, size' and. ual-' ity to be directly worked into billets,w ich may be directly rolled into commercial forms of marketablequality;

Another valuable purpose of my invention is to provide such apparatus'orbusheling furnace whereby scrap iron may be balled much more rapidlythan has hereto.- fore been possible, with'a minimum loss because ofoxidation of the iron, with a minigreatly reduced fuel cost,and'withunskilled labor,

A further object of my invention is to rovide such an apparatus whichwill continuously produce, om scra iron, balls or other masses of ironof' su stantially uniform weight, size and shape, thereby" simplifyingthe further handling and working of the a metal into commercial forms, Afurther object of the invention is to provide a rotary furnace, suitableforballing scrap, in which the scrap is subjected to a preheatingoperationbefore it reachesthe welding or balling chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide 'a furnace ofthischaracter in which the metal is cleaned and the impurities carried awaybefore the welding or balling operation takes lace.

A further oblect of the invention is toprovide a furnace m which thepreheating takes place while the charge is s read out in a relativelythin layer and pre erably while it is kept in motion, preferably arolling motion, so that the heating is thorough. A minimumfuel-consumption is required, the entire charge is heated rapidly andoxidation of the charge is largely avoided.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for automaticallyintroducing the pieces constituting a given charge into the ballingchamber a few at a time and so that the heavier ieces reach this placebefore those whic are relatively lighter, whereby it becomes possible tovary the time to which the elements of the charge are subjected to themost intense heat in proportion to their respective masses.

Another object of my invention is to provide such' an apparatus wherebythe charge of scrap will be spread out and then caused to travel througha zone ofgradually increasing temperature, while the scale, rust andlike impurities, if any, are being removed and carried away, so that theelements of the charge are preheated before reaching the ballingchamber, are caused to travel into the zone of intense heat at a speedproportioned to their respective masses and, when suitably heated, aregathered together in the balling chamber and so manipulated by the-oeration of the machine that the weight of t e charge is utilized to weldthe mass into amelatively solid body.

Another object ofmy invention is to provide such an aplparatus which canbe charged at one en while the ball or other metal mass is being removedfrom the other end, thereby not only increasing the efliciency of themachine, but, what is more important, minimizing"' the cooling of thehighly heated and preferably refractory {filing of the preheating .andballing cham- Another object is to provide a suitable apparatns forformingfa ball out of scraps of metal by operations which are carriedout automatically; thus decreasing the cost of producing the balls byeliminating high paid hand labor and making it possible tojproduce muchlarger balls than 1s possible when the work is done by hand. By use ofthe present apparatus a ball is produced from which a billet can be madelarge enough for almost all the common rolling operations.

The invention is illustrated, in certain preferred embodiments, in theaccompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view, in side elevation, of one formof the apparatus, certain of the "working parts of the operative machinebeing omitted; Fig. 2 a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig.3 a side elevation of the rotary element of thefurnace, together with anoperative form of driving""'mechanism for the same; Fig. 4 alongitudinal sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 a planview of the same; Fig. 6 a sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig.3looking in the direction of the arrows; Fi 7 a sectional view taken online 7-7 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 8 adetail plan view illustrating one of the devices employed for taking thestrain from the driving means of the rotary; Fig. 9 a plan View; Fig. 10a side view illustrating, particularly, certain devices employed forclosing the furnace when the rotary is in the charging position, and foropening a valve in the furnace stack; and Fig. 11 a fragmentarylongitudinal section showing a modified form of rotary.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several figuresofthe drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus,

in the preferred form? shown, consists,

broadly speaking, of a firebox A; a rotary cylinder or barrel B,constituting a preheating chamber, formed on the end adjacent theflame-way C of the furnace,with an enlargement D constituting a ballingor welding chamber; a discharge'flue E which carries off the products:of combustion from the cylinder B; a turn-table F, or other suitablerevoluble support for-;-the rotary element B oiit of alinement with theflame-way C and flue E for the purpose of charging, and drivingmechanism forrevolving the rotary element on its axis and for rotatingthe turn-table. The axis of revolution of cylinder B is preferablyoblique to the horizontal,- the bottom of the cylinder B at the that is,charge end, adapted to aline with flue E, is higher than at the otherend. As a result of this arrangement, the revolution of the barrel Bbrings about a gradual gravity feed of the. scraps of metal constitutingthe charge, which results in spreading the charge out in a relativelythinlayer and in an automatic D, by means of which "it may beturnedsorting of the pieces in accordance with their weight. Thus, theheavier pieces reach the welding chamber before the lighter 1 pieces,and consequently are subjected to the intense heat in the weldingchamber for a longer period of time than the lighter pieces. All of thecharge, instead of entering the welding chamber in a relatively coldstate, is subjected for some little time to the lesser heat of thebarrel which, of course, increases as the welding chamber is approached,and the charge is thus gradually heated. The charge is likewise agitatedor tumbled by the rotary movement of the barrel, so as to loosen therust, scale and dirt 'with which the pieces are likely to be incrusted.These impurities are carried off through theflue E by the hot blast fromfurnace A. So, also, this tumbling or agitation of the charge in thepath ofa blast of heat submits each individual unit of the charge to aseparate tumbling and cleaning action, whereby, under the combinedinfluence of agitation, heat and blast, all superficial impurities areeffectively removed from the individual units and from the entirecharge, making it possible to produce by this busheling treatment a balland billet of refined iron of far better quality than has heretoforebeen produced from scrap and to do so by a single heat. the highlyheated, refractory lining. has an important part in this preheatingoperation and by this tumbling treatment the charge is shiftedconstantly or from time. to time to Furthermore,

different surfaces of the highly heated, re-

fra ctory lining, thereby, on the one hand, preventing undue cooling ofthe lining at the-points where the charge rests from time to time, andon the other hand, constantly-or successively subjecting the charge toheat radiated from fresh surfaces of the refrac-' tory lining. The otheradvantageous features of my apparatus will be apparent from a moredetailed description of theapparatus. The refractory lining, which ispreferably used in the cylinder B and in the balling chamber, ispreferably kept at a white heat and thereby efficiently assists in. thepreheating of the charge.

The 'fire box A is preferablyconstructed with a bridge wall 12, formedwith a plu-' rality of perforations 12*" through which compressed airfrom the pipe 13 may be (ii-- rected throughthe lower portion of theflame-way 0 leading from the fire box into the welding chamber D. Thelatter, it will be seen, is of greater diameter than the flame-way, forthe purpose, of course, of retaining thecharge, and it is thereforedesirable that the flame from the furnace should be directed downwardlyinto this enlargement. This may be accomplished by the air blast abovedescribed, which also increases the temperature by the introducanysuitable construction 50 which extend a other of the o It 41 by means 0the clutch 42, which latter- 8 a shaft tion at this place of additionaloxygen.- Preferably also the upper wall of the furnace 14, above thebrid e wall, is formedon a slant, as shown in ig. 1. Of course,

may be used to provide a blast of heat into theballing chamber andthrough the preheating chamber, and the furnace walls may be given anysuitable contour to direct the blast of heat .10 in the directionrequired.

The rotary B, D is preferably formed of the outer metal sheathing 15,the inner l ining. 16 of some suitable refractor materlal,

and interposed between these e ements, a spongy or resilient packin orfiller 17 of asbestos, which lessens ra iation andv permits a certainamount of expansion in the lining 16 without in'ury to or destruction ofthe metal shell. xthding around the exterior of the welding chamber D isa track 18 which bears upon" a set of rollers 19 mounted in suitablebearings 20 on the turntable F. A similar track 21, on the barrel. B,bearsupon rollers 22 mounted in bearfl ings 23 on the other side of theturn-table.

'As stated, the arrangement is preferably such that the end of therotary supported on thedrollers 22 is above the welding cham- 80 Theturn-table F is provided with the preferably conical rollers24 which runon curved tracks 25 26. The turn-table rotates on a central sha .27carried in abearing 28, shown as located in an opening 29 in the 85foundation 3O on'which the apparatus rests,

and carried at the upper end in a bearing 31 on the turn-table.Preferably a'bearing in the nature of a ball and socket connection'isformed between a plate 32 bolted to the under side of the turn-table anda plate 33 restin on foundation 30, these plateshaving t e co engacurved surfaces 34. Plate 32 has a boss 35 which enters an opening 36,ofsomewhat larger diameter, in the plate 33, this permitting a littleplay between the parts in case the turn-table, for any reason, shouldnot run with, perfect evenness on the track. The bearing28 has theslotted l 28 through the slots of its 28" securing the bearing to atransverse member 28. This gives some flexibility to the mounting of therotary and permits aligular adjustment when I v by simply changingrollers 24, for

86 'of a different diameter.

The turn-table is provided with a sector gear 37.. which is meshed by aworm 38 on a shaft 39 adapted to be clutched to one or ositelvrevolvedpulleys 40,

mav be of any preferred construction.

.means by which the 1 let.

as its charging position rotary. When the rotary is is shown as boltedto brackets 45 which are riveted to the shell 15. Shaft 27 carries abevel gear 46 meshed by a bevel pinion 48 on the shaft 49 which suitablemanner. By this arrangement the rotary B, D may be revolved on its axis,and, when necessary for charging or removing may be driven in any I theball, the turn-table may be turned on its pivot .without disengaging thedriving rotary is driven or, if

desired, without stopping such revolution.

Where the rotary 1s tilted, it is desirable that some means he providedfortaking the end thrust, so as to relieve the strain between ears 43and 44-. This is done preferably y means of the idlers 50 which bearaiainst. a flat surface 51 on the gear 43.

ried on slides 53 adapted to be bolted by the bolts 54 to their supports55. The slides 53 are positioned by means of the set screws 56 extendingthrou h brackets '57 bolted to the supports 55. 'The ends of the rotarare beveled, as shown, and preferably finlshed by the rings 58, 58,reinforced by brackets 59. The beveled ends of the rotary aline withcorrespondin y formed annular members 60, 60 secure%,respectively,to thefurnace and to the metal shell 61 of flue E. Preferably these annularmembers are formed with the water conduits 62 throu h which water iscirculated bv means oft e pipes 63, 64. Preferably the flame-way C andthe annular member 60 are narrowerv than the mouth of the weldin chamber65, and preferably also the end 0 the barrel has the mternal projection66, the purpose ofthese constructions bein to protect the adjacent partsfrom the estructive effects of the flame. 1

The. flue E is provided with a lining 67 of refractory material. videthe welding chamber with a slag out- This is shown as a thimble 68extending through the" refractory lining of the chalmberand closed by aplug 69.

The apparatus is preferably provided with means for closing theflame-way from the combustion. chamber when the rotary is and withmeans-for, in such case, diverting the flame in another direction. Thefurnace, tothis end, is provided with a stack 70 adapted to be closed bya damper or valve 71 pivoted tow a bracket 72, a cord or cable 73 beingattached to the outer end of the valve running through a pulley 74 onthe furnace and being attached to the water shield 75 carried by theturn-table-support-ing the swung into charging position, the pull oncord 73 o ens the valve 71. This same movement 0 the rotary brings thewater shield 75 in front of the flame-way. C of the furnace. This watershield'consists of a disk-shaped ves-' e idlers' are mounted in brackets52 car- It is desirable to pro sel secured to a bracket 7 6 on the sideof turn-table F. Water is fed into the bottom of the Water shieldthrough a pipe 7 7 hose 78 and nipple 79. It passes out of the watershield through nipple 80, hose 81 and pipe 82 (Fig. 5). The cooledsurface of the water shield, of course, tends to keep down. thetemperature of the metal surfaces to which it is opposed when the rotaryis in operating position. i

The apparatus is preferably also provided with hand operated mechanismfor shifting the clutch 42 which is so constructed that,

at the proper time, the movement vof the rotary to either its chargingor welding position is automatically stopped.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, 83 is a controlling rod pivoted 'toone of the arms 84 of a three-armed casting which turns on a stationarypivot 85. Another of these arms 86 is connected by means of a link 87with a bent arm 88 having the fixed pivot 89 and formed in a suitablemanner to engage with and operate the clutch 42. A rod 90 passes throughan opening in the third arm 91 of the three armed member and carries twocollars 92, 93. The clutch is thrown in one direction or the other, asmay be desired, by pushing or pulling upon rod 83. The adjustment ofcollars 92 and 93 on rod 90 is such that when the rotary reaches thelimit of its swing in either direction one of these collars comes intocontact with arm 91' and throws out the clutch.

The operation of the apparatus above de-' scribed is as follows: Beforebeginning operations, the apparatus should be heated until therefractory lining throughout the rotary is brought to a white heat, as amuch more eflicient and rapid heating of the charge with a relativelyshort rotary will be obtained when these conditions are,observed. Therotary B, D is then turned into the dotted line position of Fig. 2 bymeans of the worm 38 operating on sector gear 37, and the charge dumpedinto the upper or outer end of the barrel B. This movement of the rotaryopens the stack valve and brings the water shield to its normal positionin alinement with the flame-way C and flue E, the stack valve beingclosed by this .movement, and is rotated by application of power toshaft 49. vThe revolution of B, D on its axis need not be stopped duringthe operation. The charge, which may consist of a number of pieces ofold metal, old iron for example, of various sizes and which are likelyto be covered with rust, scale and dirt,

is fed' gradually toward the welding chamber D by the rotary movement ofbarrel B. This movement, in the first place, spreads out the charge sothat the flames reach every partof it. Further, the feedingmovement issuch as to clean the scrap, the pieces being rubbed together and againstthe inner surface of the cylinder. as they move toward the weldingchamber. The strong blast through the cylinder carries away thedislodged impurities. This rotary movement of the cylinder also resultsin an automatic sorting of the scrap according to weight. The heavierreach the welding chamber first an are, therefore, subjected to the veryintense heat at this point. for a longer period of time than thecomparatively lighter pieces. The latter, however, are subjected toconsiderable heat while they are in the barrel, this heat graduallyincreasing as they approach the welding chamber. The result is that theheavier pieces, which require more heat in order that they should bebrought to a suitable weldin condition, get the amount of heat that t eyrequire, while the lighter pieces are more gradually heated before beingsubjected to the intense temperature of the welding chamber which wouldotherwise be likely to burn them up wholly or partially. The lighterpieces are, of course, in the welding chamber a shorter time. Thecharge, thus eventually collected together in the welding or, as it maybe called, ballingchamber, is rolled around the interior surface of thesame until it is Welded together to form a relatively homogeneous ballor mass. After this, it may be put through a squeezer or otherwisetreated.

While the barrel may be proportioned to its speed of rotation to operatecontinuously as above described, I have obtained highly satisfactoryresults with a relatively short barrel, by first rotating the barrelsufliciently to spread the charge, then stopping it for a few seconds,again rotating it, so as to shift the position of the individualelements of the charge to the other white hot surfaces from those whichthey initially occupied, and so on until the entire charge issuflicient-ly heated, which may be observed by watching through asuitable peep-hole in the apparatus. Of course, with a large charge, itmay be that the individual. units will not come in actual contact withthe refractory lining, but the charge will assume the form of a loose,elongated pile subjected to the direct blast passing through the rotaryas well as to the radiated heat from the refractory lining, and, as therotary is turned either continuously or periodically, the position ofthis elongated, loose pile is shifted,

"so that the individual units are thoroughly heated on all surfaces andare effectively.

cleaned of impurities by the tumbling action, the blast and theoxidizing effect of the heat. When the device is operated in thismanner, the operator soon learns when the entire charge is in conditionfor welding or, ndeed, after a few operations he will learn ust how manyminutes must be required for the charge to travel through the barrel tobecome suitably heated. As soon as the en-;

ieces' tire charge is suitably heated 'andall of itv has been conveyedinto the balling chamber,

the rotary will be rotated more rapidly, for

it is now desirable to complete thewelding of the charge into asinglemass or ball as quickly as. possible, not onl to increase the output ofthe machine an reduce the fuel cmt per ton of metal treated, but also tominimize ,loss by burning or oxidation. Thesame result can be attainedbycontinuously 0 eratin the rotary, first at slow speed, uring t eheating process, and then at rapid speed during the balling stage.

With this apparatus operated as above described, I can form a relativelysolid ball a of metal weighing five hundred pounds or more from co (1scrap at the rate of one ball every ten minutes or less and with a fuelconsumption of five hundred to seven hundred pounds of coal to a tonofmetal, a result which it has been impossible to heretofore attain byany means heretofore known, a result which it hasbeen impossible toattain in any degree with any mechanism of which I have any knowledge,and a result which has vastly increased the product of a single this..whic

furnace in twenty-four hours over anything heretofore known, reduced thefuel consumption by nearl three-fourths and, by the elimination oskilled labor, brin down the labor cost, while the quality of ti:

product is far superior to the roduct here-' tofore produced by anybushellng operation of which I have any knowledge.

It will be seen that by beveling the end of the balling chamber and thecorresponding part of the furnace with which it alines, the tendency ofthe cold air' to suck' in through the space which intervenes at thisplace is largely -or wholly counteracted. This is important becausethere is a tendency here to develop an outflow of cinder or metalresulting possibl from units of thecharge which occasiona lyescape fromthe rotary at this point'and possib y cinder at this point. I freezerapidly upon being exposed to areduced temperature, the outflow of heatat will. keep the fluid cinder metal in a fluid condition-until it hasdropped clear of the apparatus, where otherwise it would tend to freezeor solidify between the furnace and the end of the rotary and thus clogand stop the operation of the machine. The reversed construction at theother end .of the rotary produces just "the opposite resalt; and at thispoint it is desirable that air should be introduced so as to completethe combustion of the gases. The flue E is a down draft flue, so thatthe flames through the barrel B are kept down close upon the metal.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a somewhat vcontour of the balli from the effectof, heat on the brick or from an overfiowof- Asthe cinder V int tends tomaintain a temperature by virtue of the further modified form of Thebarrel B is tapered or flared, being wider at the ball ing chamber endthan at the other end. This gives the necessary incline or a art of it,as the rotary as a whole is referalily in clined, and also assists inthe eeding of the material by obviating any tendency, which there may bein a straight barrel, for the material to roll back and crowd.' With atapered barrel, the material constantly spreads as it moves downwardlybecause of the constantly increasing radius of the curved surface onwhich it is supported. The configuration of the interior of the ballingchamber D" is also different from that shown in the other figures. Thehearth of the balling chamber is formed, with respect to itslongitudinal curvature, on a curve which 1s considerably greater thanthat of the ball intended to beformed thereon, and is so disposed thatthere is a constant tendenc for the ball to roll longitudinally of theearth as well as transversely thereof. That is, instead of trackingaround the middle of the hearth in a circular path at right angles tothe axis of rotation, the

ball is intermittently carried a little way up the slopin side of thehearth and then allowed to roll or slide back into the center. Thisinsures the spherical shape of the ball. Specifically in the presentcase this result is obtained by flattening the hearth curvature on theside of the hearth adjacent the com-' bust-ion chamber, the whole rotaryelement being tilted down in this direction.

A further important advantage of this bottom of the balling chamberextends chamber is that the toward the combustion chamber atsubstantiall the same angle as the line of travel of t e blast of heatentering the balling.

chamber. Consequently the blast of heat will sweep down into and acrossthe bot, "tom of the balling chamber and in immediate contact therewith,so as to surround the various units "of the char as they drop into theballing chamber, us utilizing the most intense heat to best advantageand,

as" these units unite into a dually growing mass, this mass will splitthe volume of flame, so that it will completely surround the mass orball, thus obtaining the-highest efliciency from the .body of flame. Byvirtue of this treatment, the manner in which impurities are removedand'fi the rapidity with which the scrap is formed intotthefinished'iball or other relatively solid mass, thus minimizing the timeof exposure to high temperatures and the consequent 'loss by burningtlrttilxidatiill 8315].

ac a eac 1n 1- vidual particle of the charge is thoroughly brought to awelding condition, the resulting ball is of such a superior quality,that it issuitable for being formed directly into billets, instead ofbeing of a character suitable only for forming into muck bars, as isnecessarily the case with balls formed by other busheling treatments.Because of this fact and because of the further fact that I can produceballs of any desired weight and, therefore, can form directly therefromv billets or blooms of any desired size, a ball formed with my machinecan be passed directly to a squeezer without reheating and from thesqueezer can be passed to any suitable rolls, reheating being necessaryonly as theresulting billet becomes too cool for working through therolls, but not being necessary as incident to further treatment toconvert the usual light and porous ball into metal of a suitable densecharacter with a skin or surface which will permit of its being rolledinto commercial-shapes of satisfactory quality. Where other processesare used, the entire, charge is heated as a mass, with the result thatthe heating, of the exterior of the charge is objectionably prolonged inorder to obtain a proper heating of the interior of the charge, or elsethe interior is insuificiently heated, so that the resultingball is nothomogeneous;

but, aside from this, previous methods must be operated by hand, asprevious machines have been a failure, the amount of metal which can bebusheled by hand is limited,

so that, if the resulting ball were otherwise of suitable quality, abillet which could be formed therefrom would only be large enough forcertain limited uses, but, as a matter of fact, the resulting ball is ofsuch a physical quality and usually so impure that it cannot be rolledinto usable commercial forms and consequently such balls are rolled intomuck bars,.which, in turn, are cut up to form boxes which are packedwith scrap, raised to a welding heat in furnaces and then rolled andmanipulated to form billets. These operations of the prior 'art requirehighly paid, skilled labor, excessive fuel consumption, slow operations,an 'unnecessary loss by burning or oxidation and a low quality ofproduct, especially if the scrap is not given a preliminary tumblingtreatment to .remove scale, etc. It will be appreciated that thesuperficial impurities on the scrap which is packed into these boxeswill largely or wholly remain as these boxes or charges are brought to awelding temperature and will also remain in the billets which resultfrom passingthese heated boxes through rolls, except as some part of theimpurities may be squeezed out of the resulting billet in the form ofcinder; Consequently, billets formed in this manner are very inferior tothose resulting from billets rolled directly from the ball produced withmy apparatus and process, because they are made of necessarily impure1ron.' The amount of 5 cinder or slag formed with my' mechanism isinconsiderable and may either be absorbed by the use of metal borings ormay be drawn off through a suitable tap hole in the balling chamber atlong inter: vals. The excess of slag, if any, in the ball, will beremoved by treatment in the squeezer.

While I have shown my invention as embodied in certain forms ofapparatus which I consider most desirable, it will be readily understoodthat modifications in the forms, constructions and in arrangement of theparts shown might be devised without departure from the invention.Therefore, I do not limit myself to these particulars except so far asthe same are made specifically limitations on certain of the claimsherein.

The foregoing specification will fully advise those skilled in the artas to the con struction and operation of apparatus embodying myinvention and they will understand, as previousl noted, that by a ballis meant a mass 0 roughly welded iron of roughly spherical form or othersuitable contour which will permit the mass, when taken from theapparatus at a welding temperature, to be handled as an entirety and, assuch, to be inserted in suitable apparatus, such as the familiarsqueezer, which will bring it to a rough, billet like form of suitablesize and contour for being passed through rolls, this rolling beingusually the step which completes the welding of the heated mass into ahomogeneous body of iron which comes out of the rolls as a billet readyfor commercial use. By the treatment which I have above outlined, thescrap is so purified and so effectively heated throughout the entirecharge that it may be without further heating roughly shaped by asqueezer and then rolled to a compact, homogeneous billet, and, indeed,may then,

by a short superficial or wash heating, be

brought in a ,few minutes to a temperature mediatel as tie p ates, anglebars or other desired forms. y 1

It will also be understood by those slcilled in the art that the objectof a balling apparatus is attained when the charge has been purified,brought to 21 welding temperature throughout and roughly welded into asingle mass sufiiciently uniform and compact to permit of its eflectivehandling as a single unit so as to be reduced to a" homogeneous billetby treatment as in squeezers, rolls and the like, and preferably withoutfurther heating. Therefore, while it might be possible with my apparatusto further compact and weld the ball by contmuing its rotation in theballing chamber, it would not ordinarily be good commercial practice soto do, because an unnecessary prolongation of the heating of the chargeincreases the furnace loss by oxidation and the welding of themassintoahomogeneous' body, when thus preparedrin the balling chamber, canbe better accomplished in squeezers and rolls and the function of the 5balling apparatus is fully accomplished of its further treatment insqueezing or rolling devices.

When in the specification I have referred to the ball as solid orrelatively solid, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatthe ball consists of a loosely welded mass of scrap, but that, ascompared with the ordinary hand puddled ball, it is relatively solid andcompact, that is, for the same weight of metal the ball produced by meis of much smaller dimensions than the ordinary hand puddled ball andthis makes it practlcal to readily and economically handle ballsweighing six hundred pounds and upwardly and to quickly reduce them tocompact, homogeneous billets by passing through a squeezer and rolls.

I do not c aim herein the process of welding scrap metal heredisclossed, as this proccss is made the subject'matter of my copendingapplication Serial No. 601,131 filed January 6, 1911. U

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with arotary balling chamber provided with a balling hearth, the surface ofwhich is curved both longitudinally and transversely, of a barreladapted also to be rotated, into which the charge is received and whichfeeds the same into the welding chamber.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with aflame-way, of a rotary balling chamber, a barrel adapted also to berotated, into which the charge is received and which feeds the same intothe welding chamber, and a down draft flue which leads from the-end ofthe barrel opposite the welding chamber.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary element comprisinga barrel formed with an enlarged section constituting a ballin chambersaid chamber being provided with a balling hearth, the surface of whichis curved both longitudinally and transversely, the surface of saidbarrel on which the metal is sustained being slanted down toward theballing chaniber.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary element comprisinga tapered barrel formed with an enlarged section constituting a ballingchamber.

In apparatus of the character described, a rotar element comprising abarrel formed with an enlarged section con- 05 fstituting a ballingchamber, said chamber surface of which is curved both longitudinallyandtransversely; the axis of said rotary element being oblique tothehorizontal.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with aflame-way, of a rotary element. comprising a barrel formed on one endwith'an enlarged section constituting a balling chamber, said chamberbeing provided with a balling hearth, the surface of which is curvedboth longitudinally and transversely, the surface of said barrel onwhich the metal is sustained being slanted down toward the ballingcham-' ber, and a flue which leads from the other end of the barrel.

7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with aflame-way, of a rotary element comprising a barrel formed on one endwith an enlarged section constituting a balling chamber, the surface ofsaid barrel on which the metal is sustained being slanted downwardtoward the balling chammounted, means for rotating said element on itslongitudinal axis comprising a circumferential gear on said element, agear meshing therewith which is pivoted in alinement with the pivotalaxis of the turn-table, and means for shifting the turn-table on itspivotal point.

9. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with arotary element, of a turn-table on which said rotary element is mountedhaving a pivotal shaft, means for rotating said element on its axiscomprising a circumferential gear on said element,

a gearmeshing therewith which is carried on said pivotal shaft, andmeans for shifting the turn-table on said pivotal shaft.

10. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with arotary element, of a turn-table on which said rotary element is mountedhaving a pivotal shaft and a ball and socket bearing, means for rotatingsaid element on its axis comprising a circumferential gear on saidelement, a gear meshing therewith which is carried on said pivotalshaft, and means for shifting the turn-table on said pivotal shaft.

11. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with arotatable element, of a turn-table on which said rotatable element issupported with its axis of rotation oblique to the horizontal, acircumferential gear on said element, a gear wheel meshing therewithwhich is pivoted in alinement with the pivotal axis of the turntable,means for shifting said turn-table on element, of a turn-table on whichsaid rotatable'element is supported with its axis of rotation oblique tothe horizontal, a circumferential gear on said element, a gear wheelmeshing'therewith which is pivoted in aline- 1 ment with the pivotalaxis of the turn-table,

means for shifting said turn-table on its pivotal axis, and idlers whichbear against a fiat surface of said circumferential gear wheel, for thepurpose described.

13. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with aflame-way, of a rotary and pivotally mounted element comprising awelding chamber, and a flue with which said rotary element is adapted tocommunicate, said flame-way and the end of said rotary element adjacentthe flue being tapered, substantially as and for the purpose described.

14. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a firebox having a flame-way, of a rotary element comprising a welding chamberwhich isgreater in diameter than the flame-way, a bridge wall in saidfire box, and means for introducing air under pressure through thebridge wall into the lower part of the flameway.

15. In apparatus of the character described. the combination with a firebox having a flame-way, of a rotary element comprising a welding chamberwhich is greater in diameter than the flame-way, a bridge wall in saidfire box, and means for introducing air under pressure through thebridge wall into the lower part of the flame-way, the upper wall of thefire box adjacent the bridge wall being slanted downwardly toward thewelding chamber, substantially as and for the purpose described.

16..In apparatus of the character described, the combination with .aflame-way, of a rotary element comprising a welding chamber which ismounted so that it may be shifted out of line with the flame-way, and ashield associated with said rotary element and so arranged as to bebrought in front of the flame-way when the rotary element is shiftedaway from the same.

17. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a firebox having a flame-way, of. a rotary element comprising a weldingchamber which is mounted. so that it may be shifted out of line withsaid flame-way, a stack leading from the fire box and provided with adamper, and means actuated by the shifting of the rotary element foropening and closing said damper.

18. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a firebox having a flame-way, of a rotary element comprising a welding chamberwhich is mounted so that itmay be shifted out of line with saidflame-way, a stack leading from the fire box andprovided with a damper,means actuated by the shifting of the rotary element for opening andclosing said damper, and a shield which is arranged so as to be broughtin front of the flame-way when the rotary element is shifted away fromthe same.

p 19. In apparatus of the character described, the combinaticn with acombustion chamber having a flame-'way, of a flue, a rotary elementcomprising a welding chamber adapted to .aline with said flame-way andfine and to be shifted out of alincment therewith, mechanism for soshifting said of its shifting movement in one direction or the other.

20. In apparatus of the character described. a rotary element compr singa barrel formed with an enlargement at one end constituting a ballingchamber, said balling chamber being provided with a hearth over whichthe ball is adapted to be rolled, formed with respect .to itslongitudinal curvature, on a curve which is greater than that of theball and which is non-symmetrical with regard to the axis of rotation ofsaid rotary element so that the ball in turning over with the revolutionof saidrotary element has a tendency to be moved longitudinally of saidhearth.

21. In apparatus of the character .described, a rotary element whichturns on an axis oblique to the horizontal and comprises a barrel formedwith an. enlargement at one end constituting a balling chamber, saidballing chamber being provided with a hearth over which the ball isadapted 'to be rolled, formed, with respect to its longitudinalcurvature, on a curve which is greater than that of the ball so that theball in turning over with the revolution of said rotary element has atendency to be moved longitudinally of said hearth.

22. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary element whichturns on an comprising a barrel formed at one end with axis oblique tothe horizontal and which an enlargement constituting a balling cham- 15comprises a ballin chamber provided with ber which is provided with ahearth curved a hearth over whic the ball is adapted to be bothtransversely and longitudinally, the

6 rolled,.formed, with respect to its longitudilongitudinal curvature ofthe hearth of the.

nal curvature, on a' curve which is greater balling chamber bein greaterat the side of than that of the ball so that the ball in turnthe chamberremote mm the barrel than at -20 ing over with the reg'eolutiondofl saidchlamtliier the side adjacent thereto.

as a ten cue to move nngitu ina v Y 10 of said heart-h? i y DAVID LENTZ-24. In apparatus of the character de- Witnesses: sc1 ibed, arotaryelement adapted to rotate P. H. TRUMAN, on an axis oblique tothe'horizontal and L. A. FALKENBERG.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,012,872,granted-December 26,

' 1911, upon the application of David H.-Lentz, of Chicago, Illiriois,for an improve ment in Apparatus for Balling Scrap Metal, an errorappeals in the printed specification requiring correction follows: Page1, line 92, for the word' intense intensest; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with this correction therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of February, A. D., 1912.

[scan] .0. 'C. BILLINGS,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

: Correction In Letters Patent No. 1,012,872.

- sc1 ibed, a rota scribed, a rotary element which turns on an axisoblique the horizontal and which comprises a ballin chamber providedwith a hearth over whic the ball is adapted to be rolled,-formed, withrespect to its longitudinal curvature, on a' curve which is greater thanthat of the ball so that the ball in turning over with the revolution ofsaid chamber on an axis oblique to the'horizontal and Patent Oflice.

comprising a barrel formed one end with an enlargement constituting aballing cham- 15 the chamber remote rom the barrel than at -20 the'sideadjacent thereto. p p v DAVID LENTZ. Witnesses:

P. H. TRUMAN, L. A. FALKENBERG.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,012,872,granted-December 26,

' 1911, upon the application of David H.-Lentz, of Chicago, Illiriois,fer an improvement in Apparatus for Balling Scrap Metal, an errorappeals in the printed specification requiring correction follows: Page1, line 92, for the word' intense intensest; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with this correction therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Signed and sealed this 13th dayof February, A. D., 1912.

.0. o. BILLmGs, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Correction in Letters Patent No. 1,012,872.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,012,872, grantedDecember 26,

' 1911, upon the application of David H. Lentz, of Chicago, Iililiois,for an improvement in Apparatus for Bailing Scrap Metal, an errorappears in the pi intgd requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line92, for the word and that the said Letters Patent should be rea d withspecification intense read intensest; this correction therein that thesame may conform tothe record of the ca'se in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of Febri ary, A. D., 1912.

4 i 0. 0. BILLINGS,

Acting Uommiss'imwf of Patents.

